Mark Morton appointment boosts RSM automotive sector tax capacity

With the industry facing a number of key changes in the coming period, RSM has appointed Mark Morton as a Partner to strengthen its automotive sector tax and auditing expertise for OEMs and car retailers. The ex-EY and PwC man joins the RSM fold amid a flurry of automotive tax expert hirings at the firm.

A variety of meteoric changes are supposedly on the cusp of revolutionising the automotive industry. With electric motors and self-driving units allegedly poised to become the way of the not-so-distant future, businesses in the automotive sector are having to reposition themselves in every conceivable way. At the same time, with Brexit coming to fruition in 2019, tax in the import-dependent sector also looks set to shift heavily in the UK. As this buoys demand for tax consulting in the sector, the UK portion of professional services firm RSM has appointed a new expert to its automotive tax wing.

Mark Morton joins the specialist consulting firm with over 25 years of experience advising clients on all aspects of employment taxes, overseas assignment issues and employee reward matters. Most recently, this saw him work as Employer Solutions Director at Grant Thornton, a company where he spent three years before moving on in search of a new challenge. Prior to this, he held tax roles at Big Four firms EY and PwC.

Based in the Milton Keynes office, he will work alongside RSM Head of Automotive Alison Ashley to deliver sector specific tax advice to motor manufacturers, dealerships and organisations. In his role as Partner in RSM’s employer solutions team and as leader in this area for the central region, he will also advise clients on employment taxes, benefits in kind, overseas assignment issues, employee reward matters and employers’ reporting obligations.

Morton’s hire follows a number of recent appointments within RSM’s automotive practice, including Robert De La Rue who joined as a tax partner from Jardine Motor Group in the summer. According to a statement from RSM, Morton is “a recognised specialist in company car consulting and employee car ownership arrangements” operated both within and outside the automotive sector.

Commenting on his arrival, Alison Ashley said, “Mark’s appointment further strengthens our automotive offering as we continue to expand our national capability and expertise.”

Morton himself remarked, “I am excited to be joining RSM as we work to further support the automotive sector as it faces key changes in the industry with electric and hybrid powertrains, autonomous driving, Brexit and many other areas – presenting an equally exciting and challenging period.”